Tow vehicle comparison...opinions wanted!

[Munnik]

I strongly recommend the diesel. The exhaust brake is a huge advantage.
I pull a 30' AS International with a 2015 Chevy 2500 Duramax diesel and it is great. I have had a couple of Ford and Chevy gas pickups and the diesel advantage of my current Chevy in torque, and exhaust brake is a big deal. Mine is a "High Country" so the bells and whistles are all there but the diesel is what makes the difference.

[Thiss]

No Ram with a Cummins in the mix, bummer.

Not a bow tie fan, but going to vote for it because it is diesel.

Longer service intervals, longer re-fuel intervals.

Diesel is back to being cheaper, although that may change again.

DEF refilling and sourcing is really a non issue because it is readily available.

Exhaust braking.

The biggest argument against buying a diesel is the upfront investment, but you have negated that.

[tadpoletim]

Before our current TV I towed with Ford 250 TD and got tired of all the breakdowns and of replacing the front brake rotors. Although we do little mileage the replacement Chev Silverado 3500 dually with flatbed and Duramax Diesel with Allison transmission has proved reliable and surefooted on the road and the "Trailer" option on the transmission gives solid engine braking and at 80k kms we have yet to need new brake pads. No contest in my view!

[giantfuton]

If you want to see some videos of a 2017 F250 6.2 towing an airstream you can check out my youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs6...YhmzWWaXFwjvEg

If you have any questions then please let me know and I'd be more than happy to answer them.

GF

[switz]

Started towing our new 2013 25FB International Serenity with a 2007 Mercedes ML320 CDI V6 3.0L turbo-diesel. It was a little more than the car liked when loaded for camping so acquired a 2012 Ram 2500HD Cummins 4x4. Solved all the towing issues with the 25FB and does everything we want towing the 2014 31' Classic. We can put anything in the back of the truck and just go.

Upgraded to the Kelderman all air bag suspension and installed a 56 gallon Titan fuel tank in place of the stock tank giving us over 700 miles range.

[Dubber]

I have had GM diesels for 13 years. Just got a Denali crew cab 4x4 and got 15 miles to the gallon towing our loaded Safari 25 through the Rockies not broken in as we started with 4,000 mikes on the odometer. All three major brands are good and we have one of each in our family. All have pro's and con's but the Allison transmission stands out!!! Buy a GM and don't worry about the warranty as you will have few if any problems with the GM trucks.

[RandyNH]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

"Even with a gas engine" they are fine lol. Remember that exhaust brake on the diesel doesn't engage your trailer brakes.

It does if you have and use the adaptive cruise control. It will utilize the engine braking and apply the trailer brakes to match.

[2012FB]

Had a bunch of TVs of all varieties over the last 25 years. 2500 Diesel period.

[Bgibbs]

We have had our '17 2500HD Duramax (silver) since Feb and love it. We towed to southern UT and spent a month in our 26u. We previously had an '06 Duramax and put 200k mostly trouble free miles. My wife wanted the High Country but I didn't want a sunroof or the painted bumpers. Also didn't want the 20" wheels which are not ideal for off-road use (short sidewall and big rocks don't get along very well).
For our 4,000 mile trip, we averaged 13.8mpg and on our last trip to the Tx coast without the trailer we got 21.3mpg.
Like I said, we love our new truck.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by philly_air

We're getting ready to buy a tow vehicle for our new 2017 FC 28 RBQ. We have it narrowed down to two choices:

• 2017 Ford F-250 Platinum 6.2 Gas engine
• 2017 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2500 Diesel

These may seem like a bit of an odd match-up but they are both almost exactly the same price.

Also, I was able to find both locally in our color of choice. IMO a sliver truck pulling an airstream looks amazing.

Thanks for your input. We'll probably be buying one or the other in the next few days.

The Chevy comes with a lifetime supply of tacos from Mexico in addition to being cheaper.

[Scott59]

I pull a 2017 30' AS with a 2016 GMC 2500 Denali, it has the Duramax Diesel 6.6 turbo and it's simply unbelievable. The torque and fuel mileage of the Diesel is much better than gas. I pull my AS up mountain passes without ever dropping out of gear while the cruise is set at 65. I get 14 mpg pulling and 17.5 everyday. It's incredible!

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

The Chevy comes with a lifetime supply of tacos from Mexico in addition to being cheaper.

None of the HDs are made in Mexico. Only crew cab 1500s.

[davidrrand]

Great vids giantfuton!


This thread is of particular interest to me as I am interested possibly upgrading my 2015 Super Cab 4X4 Lariat 5.0 F150 3.31 gearing to the 2017 or 2018 Super Crew Cab 4X4 Lariat F250 with 6.2 gas engine. While I love my F150 and it’s been excellent towing my 2016 FC across the country, I would like a bit more payload capacity and interior room of the 250 and Super Crew combination. My current F150 has a payload of 2031 lbs., but I tend to carry a lot of stuff (tools, gens, grill, compressor, extra fuel, etc.) and I would also like the option to carry my 800 lb. ATV on some trips. I think the F250 gas with standard or possibly 8 ft. bed would be sufficient for around 3,000 lb. payload. I am not interested in the diesel option as my previous truck was a diesel (F350).





Here are my questions to those who have a late model F250 with the 6.2 gas:

• Am I correct on anticipated payload?
• What kind of fuel mileage can be expected unloaded and while towing? I get with my current truck 17 mpg overall/ 21 hwy. unloaded and around 11-12 mpg towing 25 FC.
• Should I go with 4.30 or 3.73 gearing?

Thanks so much in advance for those who have experience with the 6.2 engine! I am also hoping the 2018 trucks might offer the 10-speed transmission with the 6.2.


Regards,


Dave

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

The Chevy comes with a lifetime supply of tacos from Mexico in addition to being cheaper.

I do believe it's the Ram 2500's and 3500's that are made in Mexico.

Cheers
Tony

[slowmover]

The engine makes no difference.

Suspension design, steering and brakes do.

If one has independent front suspension, it's the better choice.

[malett]

if you look at all the over road rigs they are diesel. There is a reason for this:

Diesels are more efficient : 2003 dodge 2500 on the interstate w/o trailer 21-22 mpg. With 34" classic 13.5 mpg. 5000m from Ct to Az. and back .

5.9 liter 10, 800 towing capacity without any aftermarket items or chips etc.

Maintenance cost oil change 7500 m 12 qt oil and filter, 15000oil filter, oil and fuel filter.

No other maintenance scheduled till 350,000 miles. brakes tires normal maintenance no different then other truck. i dont have a jake brake have not found a need for one other than to make noise.

figure cost for 350,000 miles based on cummins recommendations , between gas 150000 ? miles cost and the cost for 300,000 miles on the diesel . As I said mine is a 2003 and i will never have to by another truck *67 years old.

mark

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by malett

if you look at all the over road rigs they are diesel. There is a reason for this:

Diesels are more efficient : 2003 dodge 2500 on the interstate w/o trailer 21-22 mpg. With 34" classic 13.5 mpg. 5000m from Ct to Az. and back .

5.9 liter 10, 800 towing capacity without any aftermarket items or chips etc.

Maintenance cost oil change 7500 m 12 qt oil and filter, 15000oil filter, oil and fuel filter.

No other maintenance scheduled till 350,000 miles. brakes tires normal maintenance no different then other truck. i dont have a jake brake have not found a need for one other than to make noise.

figure cost for 350,000 miles based on cummins recommendations , between gas 150000 ? miles cost and the cost for 300,000 miles on the diesel . As I said mine is a 2003 and i will never have to by another truck *67 years old.

mark

I have the same truck.

iFS, rack & pinion steering, 2WD. Low ride height.

On pickups any other vehicle spec is inferior for roadgoing.

As to motors, so long as fuel price energetic content is comparable, it takes until past 200k miles for diesel to be superior with these little boy trailers.

So it's not about the motor.

Further, a3/4 or one ton is justified only when truck cargo weight warrants it.

A pickup is the least desirable TV. Its the weak link in accident avoidance. Thus, pay attention to specification.

.

[2012FB]

Originally Posted by slowmover

I have the same truck.



iFS, rack & pinion steering, 2WD. Low ride height.



On pickups any other vehicle spec is inferior for roadgoing.



As to motors, so long as fuel price energetic content is comparable, it takes until past 200k miles for diesel to be superior with these little boy trailers.



So it's not about the motor.



Further, a3/4 or one ton is justified only when truck cargo weight warrants it.



A pickup is the least desirable TV. Its the weak link in accident avoidance. Thus, pay attention to specification.



.

I'll take the power to stay with traffic up long grades, integrated engine braking for the long steep downhill grades, the stability of my long wheel base crew cab 2500 diesel that weighs about the same as my 30' Bunk over anything else. Not to mention the relaxed stress free driving in knowing I have a tow vehicle that is engineered to do the task at hand. Been there done that.

[giantfuton]

davidrrand

For my 2017 F250 Lariat Crewcab Shortbed (CCSB) the following are the specs which you may be interested in or have some significance.

Towing mileage with 25' Int'l Serenity Twin (GVWR 7300): 9.5 averaging 68 mph
Unloaded mileage: 16.5 HWY and 11 City

The historical average based on numbers gathered from members on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum indicates that the typical mileage for 6.2 trucks is +/- 1mpg from my numbers depending on use.

The 3.73 gears are more than enough to tow your trailer and will net approximately .5-1.0 mpg better than the 4.30 gears in 4x2 configuration.

The 3.73 gears and 4.30 gears will be closer when in the 4x4 configuration.

4.30 gears will run lower transmission temperatures when hauling in the summer and up grades due to greater mechanical advantage (thus a locked up torque converter and less shifting). Lower strain on the drivetrain

My truck has 4.30 gears and is enjoyable to drive in city traffic. I'm coming from a 2012 F150 CCSB with 5.0 and 3.55 gears so that should tell you something.

My payload on a loaded Lariat is 2934lbs. I have the Lariat Ultimate Package, FX4 package, Camper Package, Ultimate Trailer Tow/Camera system, navigation, and power running boards. Still lots of payload for the number of goodies the truck has.

I hate to go on and fill up the thread but if you have any questions then please let me know.

GF

[airwoody]

Originally Posted by philly_air

We're getting ready to buy a tow vehicle for our new 2017 FC 28 RBQ. We have it narrowed down to two choices:

• 2017 Ford F-250 Platinum 6.2 Gas engine
• 2017 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2500 Diesel

These may seem like a bit of an odd match-up but they are both almost exactly the same price.

Also, I was able to find both locally in our color of choice. IMO a sliver truck pulling an airstream looks amazing.

Thanks for your input. We'll probably be buying one or the other in the next few days.

I agree a Silver Truck Towing an Airstream looks amazing.......Mine and another member of our Unit